Page 26 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

Berkelium (Bk)
Element 97. It is an artificial element in the actinide series in the Periodic Table.
All of the isotopes of berkelium are radioactive. No one has ever seen metallic berkelium, but it is expected to be a silvery metal similar to others in the actinide series.
At present, relatively little is known about this element.
Discovery
It was discovered in 1949 by Stanley Thompson, Albert Ghiorso and Glenn
Seaborg when they bombarded americium
with helium ions. The first pure
berkelium compound obtained was
berkelium chloride. In 1962 a three-billionth of a gram was produced.
Technology
Because it has only been isolated in such tiny amounts, it has no uses.
Geology
Because it is an artificial element, it does not occur naturally.
Biology
Since it is an artificial element, it has no biological role.
Key facts...
Name: berkelium
Symbol: Bk
Atomic number: 97
Atomic weight: 247
Position in Periodic Table: inner transition metal;
period 7 (actinide series)
State at room temperature: solid
Colour: unknown
Density of solid: 14.78 g/cc
Melting point: 986°C
Boiling point: n/a
Origin of name: named after the University of
California at Berkeley
Shell pattern of electrons: 2–8–18–32–27–8–2
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